Thekla's looks a good call particularly from someone who lives with them rather than like me who sees them only on visits to Iberia (and unfortunately too few in recent years). The crest looks good for it. The head pattern looks more typical of Thekla's than Crested (but wear can do funny things) as does the streaking on the chest (although the fluffed up feathers don't help). The bill also looks short in this photo. It'd be a 'full-house' of Thekla's features were it not for that bill; the angle of the photo (and use of a telephoto lens?) make the length ihard to judge and, as I think my annotated enlargement shows, the lower mandible is subtly but distinctly concave. In Thekla's, it should be convex (or much less often flat). So in my view, the plumage details tend towards Thekla's but the bill shape towards Crested. Which of these is the surer guide to a birds identity has been a matter of debate here on BF (and elsewhere). I've certainly walked away puzzled a few times in the field from birds that seem to show a mix of features. Personally, I tend to go with bill shape as the angle of light & wear can alter our perception of plumage more readily than it can of bill shape. Additional photos would certainly help.Taken in June on the South West coast of Portugal
Can you I D thanks
Probably the best approach I'd suggest. For me the curve in the bill is more than just a photo artefact [see for example the shadow] and foreshortening from the angle of the photo means I can't accurately assess how long the beak actually is.In doubt I'd leave it undetermined.
Only the bill then an issue? Because I agree, the plumage and crest shape (blunted) is fine for Thekla - all boxes ticked:in my view, the plumage details tend towards Thekla's but the bill shape towards Crested. Which of these is the surer guide to a birds identity has been a matter of debate here on BF (and elsewhere). I've certainly walked away puzzled a few times in the field from birds that seem to show a mix of features. Personally, I tend to go with bill shape as the angle of light & wear can alter our perception of plumage more readily than it can of bill shape.
I’m struggling to see that on my small screen (I thought it was background causing it to look a bit thin at the tip!) but if that’s the case, that supports Thekla even more imo with the tip being even deeper than it looks there.The first image of the 2nd batch looks like the upper mandible is broken...
Does the specific location/altitude give any clues here also? Would the exact location help?It's no doubt a difficult species pair.
I thought about asking, but thought also that it would be inconclusive, as both species occur in the SW. Habitat could give an indication as well, but where agricultural habitats criss-cross more natural and sandy areas both can occur in the "wrong habitat". But still it would be interesting to know the exact location, yes. More info usually better than less. There are areas of the country where only one of the species occurs, but the SW is a problem.Does the specific location/altitude give any clues here also? Would the exact location help?